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Humber Yawl Club Squib Regatta

by Bob Smales 27 May 2009 16:28 BST 22-25 May 2009

The Humber Yawl Club Squib Regatta 2009 was held over the Bank Holiday of the 22nd to 25th May. The Humber Yawl Squib fleet has reached double figures in 2009 with a fleet of 10 boats, 7 of which entered the Regatta.

Racing started on the Friday with the obligatory “fun” round the Island race. This is a race around Broomfleet Island a distance of approximately 6 miles. At the back of the Island, the turning mark, a can of beer is picked up from a duty boat and the race is over when said can of beer is drunk at the club bar. Magic Flute (805), in training for the Nationals, won both on the Water and Drinking at the Bar!

Race 1 saw Orang-utan, (676), lead at the windward mark closely followed by Magic Flute, Kinrara (759) and Emma (431) in that order. Kinrara and Emma are new to the Fleet this year and are both being campaigned by ex Flying Fifteen crews. The light and Fluky winds and strong tides were made the best of by these boats with Magic Flute winning from Emma and Kinrara. One seasoned Squib campaigner claimed this was the best Squib race he had ever sailed in!

Race 2 was sailed on the Sunday which allegedly was the warmest day so far this year. Racing was postponed to allow the onshore easterly to settle in. Magic Flute lead at the windward mark and all Squibs, except Emma, managed to turn the mark, Navigation buoy 33A, just before a coaster sailed through the course. All sailed into a hole and it was the latter boats that got the new wind first, Emma going from last to 1st and Magic Flute pulling up the rear by 600yards. A trend was starting as Emma and Kinrara made the best of the new wind. Those positions were held to the finish with Magic Flute recovering to take a very close 3rd.

Race 3 started in a dying Easterly with light drizzle. With Emma on 3 points, Magic Flute on 4 and Kinrara on 5 all was to play for. Kinrara lead from the line with Magic Flute trying to work Emma down the pack. The light and fickle breeze and wicked tide sorted many but it was Magic Flute, Emma and Kinrara that made the best of the conditions. White Fang (804) retired after entangling Whitton Ness Buoy, Orang-utan retiring after getting caught in the failing breeze. Magic Flute took the win from Emma and Kinrara in that order. This left Magic Flute and Emma both on 5 points, on countback Magic Flute winning the regatta with 2 firsts.

The standard of racing has improved dramatically at the HYC over the last month or so following a talk by Squib Guru Tony Saltonstall. Now that the newcomers are getting their heads around those Squib quirks we are expecting even better racing to come at the Humber Yawl.

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